There was intense drama in court during the hearing of a case involving the murder of former Kasipul Member of Parliament, Charles Were. A shocking incident occurred when one of the main suspects allegedly threatened to kill a prosecutor handling the case.
According to a statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the threat took place during a brief court recess while the judge was preparing to give further directions on how the case would proceed.
It is reported that during the break, one of the accused individuals approached an officer and asked for the identity of the prosecutor. Once informed, the suspect allegedly made a serious threat to kill the prosecutor, stating that he would be eliminated for opposing their release on bail.
“The accused person issued a direct threat to the ODPP officer, saying he would be killed. This forced the prosecutor to immediately excuse himself from the courtroom,” said the ODPP in an official report.
The situation was so grave that Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache, who is overseeing the case, reacted strongly to the suspect’s behavior and expressed deep concern over the safety of the court officials.
Due to the threat and the overall conduct of the suspect, Justice Mochache ordered that all three suspects be held in custody at the Nairobi Industrial Remand Prison.
The judge further directed that the suspect who issued the threat should undergo a comprehensive mental assessment. Until the results of this evaluation are received, he will remain in isolation away from the other detainees.
“I have taken serious note of the accused person’s threat to kill the prosecutor. If such dangerous words like ‘huyu tutamuua’ [Swahili for ‘we will kill him’] can be uttered in court, what then about the safety of witnesses? Therefore, I hereby deny all three accused persons bond or bail.
Additionally, the first accused will be taken to Mathari Hospital for mental evaluation,” said the judge in her ruling.
In response to the threat and for the safety of everyone present, the judge also directed that security within the courtroom be significantly increased for all future sessions.
As the suspects have not yet taken a plea, they will continue to remain in custody as the court monitors the developments of the case closely. The next mention of the case has been scheduled for June 17, when further progress is expected.
In another related development, two more suspects who are believed to be connected to the same murder case also appeared before a different judge via a virtual court session.
Justice Margaret Muigai, who presided over the virtual hearing, ordered that both of these suspects also undergo mental assessments before they can be formally charged with murder.
The court further directed that the two suspects be assigned legal counsel and be held at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
They are currently being detained in separate cells as investigations continue. Authorities are also exploring the possibility of plea bargain arrangements and other legal options as part of the ongoing investigations.
Former MP Charles Were was tragically shot dead on the evening of April 30 while stuck in traffic near the City Mortuary roundabout along Ngong Road in Nairobi.
His sudden and violent death shocked many, and investigations into the murder are ongoing as more suspects are brought before the courts.
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